Cryptojacking
The unauthorized use of someone's computer, phone, or server to mine cryptocurrency, usually without the owner's knowledge or consent.
Cryptojacking↗ is the unauthorized use of someone's computing resources, a computer, phone, or cloud server, to mine cryptocurrency for an attacker's benefit, typically without the owner's knowledge or consent. It's often delivered through malicious scripts embedded in websites or malware↗ installed on a device.
Victims usually notice cryptojacking through symptoms like a sluggish device, unusually high fan noise, or an unexpected spike in electricity or cloud computing bills, rather than any obvious warning sign. Monitoring for unusual CPU usage and keeping browsers and software updated helps catch and prevent it.